John Clute discusses his book, “The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction: An Illustrated A to Z.” He begins by explaining the differences between the genres of science fiction and fantasy. He describes that many writers look backwards to ancient...

Michael Shermer discusses his book, “Science Friction.” He begins by explaining that the book is a collection of essays that explore the barriers and biases that both plaque and fuel science. In these essays he faces such questions as: how does...

Fritjof Capra discusses his biography, “The Science of Leonardo.” He begins by telling about the early life of Leonardo da Vinci and how he was an illegitimate child and a student of the artist Verrocchio. Leonardo was not allowed to attend...

Norman Spinrad discusses his science fiction novel, “Child of Fortune.” He begins by talking about his main character: a young woman who must travel from planet to planet working as a prostitute. Spinrad describes that he decided to write a novel...

Ray Bradbury discusses his book, “Now and Forever.” He begins by explaining that this book is a compilation of two of his older novellas, “Somewhere a Band is Playing” and “Leviathan ’99.” He talks about how Katherine Hepburn and Herman Melville...

Steven Kotler discusses his book, “West of Jesus.” He begins by sharing the story of his struggle with Lyme disease and its effect on him spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Kotler explains how it was this struggle that led him to take up...

Daniel Levitin discusses his book, “This is your Brain on Music.” He begins by explaining that the book examines the nature of hearing and the making of music. The book is a study of why music affects people so deeply and goes to great pains to...

Sam Weller and Ray Bradbury discuss Weller's book, "The Bradbury Chronicles." Weller, a professor at Columbia College, Chicago, teaches a class on the life and works of Ray Bradbury. His book is a biography on the life and work of author, Ray...

J. Robert Beyster discusses his book, “The SAIC Solution.” He begins by explaining that he was a nuclear physicist who started the employee-owned Science Applications International Corporation. The business allowed PhD scientists to do research...

Jerry Pournelle discusses the novel he co-wrote with Larry Niven, “The Gripping Hand.” He begins by explaining that the book is a sequel to their best-selling science fiction novel, “The Mote in God’s Eye.” He talks about previous books he has...

Nancy O'Hara-Devereaux discusses her book, "Navigating the Badlands: Thriving in the Decade of Radical Transformation." The book is about the current global economy and where it is going and the use of past and current business techniques. She...

Judith Merkle Riley discusses her novel, “The Oracle Glass.” She begins by explaining that her book is about a network of women in the 17th century who relied on their oracle powers to tell people’s futures. She discusses her job as a professor...

Jared Diamond discusses his book, "The Third Chimpanzee: The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal." The book encompasses the history of evolution from the Neanderthals, "tree of human life," and "last first contact." He writes that humans are...

Paul Erdman discusses his novel, “The Panic of ’89.” He begins by explaining that the book is a fictional account of what would happen if Mexico and Brazil stopped paying the United States and lowered oil prices. He talks about how he converges...

Frederic Tuten discusses his novel, “Van Gogh’s Bad Café.” He begins by explaining that his book can be considered a science fiction art history novel. He introduces his main character, a 19 year old morphine addict who thinks she can go back in...

Irving Dardik discusses his book, “Quantum Fitness.” He begins by explaining his position as the Chairman of the Olympic Sports Committee. He travels the country and trains Olympic athletes in science and medicine. The book uses relaxation and...

Barbara Goldsmith discusses her book, “Obsessive Genius.” She begins by explaining that her book is part of Norton’s Great Discoveries Series, and she wrote about the life of Marie Curie and her discovery of radioactivity. Goldsmith talks about...

Dr. Robin Cook discusses his book, “Seizure.” He begins by detailing the plot of the novel, which deals with the topic of stem cell research. The main character of the book, Lowell, is a professor at Harvard who decides to develop his own company,...

Ray Bradbury discusses his collection of short stories entitled, "Bradbury Stories." He begins by explaining that he chose the one-hundred stories in the collection with the help of his editors because he has such an extensive collection of work....